John 1:15 web — John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, f…

World English Bible

"John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'""

— John 1:15, World English Bible

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John 1:15 in Other Translations

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John 1 — Context

12

But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name:

13

who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14

The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15

John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'"

16

From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.

17

For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

18

No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

John 1:15 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does John 1:15 say?
John 1:15 in the World English Bible reads: “John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'"”
Where is John 1:15 in the Bible?
John 1:15 is found in the New Testament, in the book of John, chapter 1, verse 15.
Who wrote John?
John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, son of Zebedee. It was written c. AD 85–95.
What is the book of John about?
John's Gospel opens not in Bethlehem but "in the beginning," declaring Jesus to be the eternal Word made flesh. Through seven sign-miracles and seven "I AM" sayings, it presents Jesus as the bread, the light, the way, and the resurrection — that we might believe and have life in his name.
What are the major themes of John?
John explores themes including Word Made Flesh, Belief, Eternal Life, I AM, Love. These themes shape the meaning and context of John 1:15.
What translation should I read John 1:15 in?
John 1:15 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize John 1:15?
John 1:15 reads (WEB): “John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'"” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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